September 2018

to
June 2019

Audit and
Assurance (AA)

Syllabus and study guide

 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Guide to structure of the Detailed syllabus

syllabus and study guide This shows the breakdown of the main
capabilities (sections) of the syllabus
into subject areas. This is the blueprint
Overall aim of the syllabus
for the detailed study guide.
This explains briefly the overall objective
Approach to examining the syllabus
of the syllabus and indicates in the
broadest sense the capabilities to be
This section briefly explains the
developed within the exam.
structure of the examination and how it
is assessed.
Relational diagram of linking Audit
and Assurance (AA) with other ACCA
Study Guide
exams
This is the main document that students,
This diagram shows direct and indirect
education and content providers should
links between this exam and other
use as the basis of their studies,
exams preceding or following it. It
instruction and materials. Examinations
indicates where you are expected to
will be based on the detail of the study
have underpinning knowledge and
guide which comprehensively identifies
where it would be useful to review
what could be assessed in any
previous learning before undertaking
examination session. The study guide is
study.
a precise reflection and breakdown of
the syllabus. It is divided into sections
Main capabilities
based on the main capabilities identified
in the syllabus. These sections are
The aim of the syllabus is broken down
divided into subject areas which relate to
into several main capabilities which
the sub-capabilities included in the
divide the syllabus and study guide into
detailed syllabus. Subject areas are
discrete sections.
broken down into sub-headings which
describe the detailed outcomes that
Relational diagram of the main
could be assessed in examinations.
capabilities
These outcomes are described using
verbs indicating what exams may
This diagram illustrates the flows and
require students to demonstrate, and the
links between the main capabilities
broad intellectual level at which these
(sections) of the syllabus and should be
may need to be demonstrated
used as an aid to planning teaching and
(*see intellectual levels below).
learning in a structured way.

Syllabus rationale

This is a narrative explaining how the

syllabus is structured and how the main
capabilities are linked. The rationale
also explains in further detail what the
examination intends to assess and why.

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 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Intellectual Levels Learning Hours and

The syllabus is designed to
Education Recognition
progressively broaden and deepen the
The ACCA qualification does not
knowledge, skills and professional
prescribe or recommend any particular
values demonstrated by the student on
number of learning hours for
their way through the qualification.
examinations because study and
learning patterns and styles vary greatly
The specific capabilities within the
between people and organisations. This
detailed syllabuses and study guides are
also recognises the wide diversity of
assessed at one of three intellectual or
personal, professional and educational
cognitive levels:
circumstances in which ACCA students
find themselves.
Level 1: Knowledge and
comprehension
As a member of the International
Level 2: Application and analysis
Federation of Accountants, ACCA seeks
Level 3: Synthesis and evaluation
to enhance the education recognition of
its qualification on both national and
Very broadly, these intellectual levels
international education frameworks, and
relate to the three cognitive levels at
with educational authorities and partners
which the Applied Knowledge,
globally. In doing so, ACCA aims to
the Applied Skills and the Strategic
ensure that its qualifications are
Professional exams
recognised and valued by governments,
are assessed.
regulatory authorities and employers
across all sectors. To this end, ACCA
Each subject area in the detailed study
qualifications are currently recognised
guide included in this document is given
on the education frameworks in several
a 1, 2, or 3 superscript, denoting
countries. Please refer to your national
intellectual level, marked at the end of
education framework regulator for
each relevant line. This gives an
further information.
indication of the intellectual depth at
which an area could be assessed within
Each syllabus contains between 20 and
the examination. However, while level 1
35 main subject area headings
broadly equates with Applied
depending on the nature of the subject
Knowledge , level 2 equates to Applied
and how these areas have been broken
Skills and level 3 to Strategic
down.
Professional, some lower level skills can
continue to be assessed as the student
progresses through each level. This
reflects that at each stage of study there
will be a requirement to broaden, as well
as deepen capabilities. It is also
possible that occasionally some higher
level capabilities may be assessed at
lower levels.

© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.


Guide to ACCA
Examination Structure
The structure of examinations varies
within and between levels.
The Applied Knowledge examinations
contain 100% compulsory questions to
encourage candidates to study across
the breadth of each syllabus. These are
assessed by a two-hour computer based
examination.
The Corporate and Business Law exam
is a two-hour computer-based objective
test examination for English and Global,
and available as a paper based version
for all variants.
The other Applied Skills examinations
(PM, TX-UK, FR, AA, and FM)
contain a mix of objective and longer
type questions with a duration of three
hours for 100 marks; these questions
directly contribute towards the candidate
result. These exams are available in
computer-based and paper-based
formats. Prior to the start of each exam
there will be time allocated for students
to be informed of the exam instructions.
Computer-based exams
For the Applied Skills (PM, TX-UK, FR,
AA and FM) computer-based exams
candidates are given an extra 10
minutes to read the instructions prior to
the start of the exam. Additional content
may be included in the exam. This will
be dependent on which exam session
the candidate sits their exam. For more
information see below.
Exams from September 2018 – March
2019
For these exams candidates will receive
an extra 10 marks of objective test
seeded content (either five single OT
questions OR five OT questions based
Audit and Assurance (AA)
around a single scenario). These
questions are included to ensure the
fairness and reliability of the exams.
These questions do not directly
contribute towards the candidate’s
score. Candidates will not be able to
differentiate between the questions that
contribute to the result and those that do
not. Due to this additional content, an
extra 20 minutes is provided to
candidates. The total exam time is
therefore 3 hours and 20 minutes (not
including reading time).
Exams from June 2019 onwards
As part of our ongoing exam
development, from June 2019
candidates will no longer receive seeded
content. Processes and systems are in
place to ensure every question a
candidate receives is fair and
reliable. Due to the removal of this
content, the exam duration will change
from 3 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours (this
does not include reading time).
Paper-based exams
For paper-based exams 15 minutes are
added to the three hours to reflect the
manual effort required as compared to
computer-based exams. All paper-
based and computer-based questions
have been subject to the same quality
assurance process. There will be time
awarded by the invigilator to read the
exam instructions.
Strategic Business Leader is ACCA’s
case study examination at the Strategic
Professional level and is examined as a
closed book exam of four hours,
including reading, planning and
reflection time which can be used
flexibly within the examination. There is
no pre-seen information and all exam
related material, including case
information and exhibits are available
within the examination. Strategic
© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.
 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Business Leader is an exam based on

one main business scenario which
involves candidates completing several
tasks within which additional material
may be introduced. All questions are
compulsory and each examination will
contain a total of 80 technical marks and
20 Professional Skills marks. The detail
of the structure of this exam is described
in the Strategic Business Leader
syllabus and study guide document.

The other Strategic Professional exams

are all of three hours and 15 minutes
duration. All contain two
Sections and all questions are
compulsory. These exams all contain
four professional marks. The detail of
the structure of each of these exams is
described in the individual syllabus and
study guide documents.

ACCA encourages students to take time

to read questions carefully and to plan
answers but once the exam time has
started, there are no additional
restrictions as to when candidates may
start writing in their answer books.

Time should be taken to ensure that all

the information and exam requirements
are properly read and understood.

The pass mark for all ACCA

Qualification examinations is 50%.

© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Guide to ACCA
Examination Assessment
ACCA reserves the right to examine
anything contained within the study
guide at any examination session. This
includes knowledge, techniques,
principles, theories, and concepts as
specified. For the financial accounting,
audit and assurance, law and tax exams
except where indicated otherwise,
ACCA will publish examinable
documents once a year to indicate
exactly what regulations and legislation
could potentially be assessed within
identified examination sessions.

For examinations, regulation issued or

legislation passed on or before 31
August annually, will be examinable
from 1 September of the following year
to 31 August of the year after that.
Please refer to the examinable
documents for the exam (where
relevant) for further information.

Regulation issued or legislation passed

in accordance with the above dates may
be examinable even if the effective date
is in the future.

The term issued or passed relates to

when regulation or legislation has been
formally approved.

The term effective relates to when

regulation or legislation must be applied
to an entity transactions and business
practices.

The study guide offers more detailed

guidance on the depth and level at
which the examinable documents will be
examined. The study guide should
therefore be read in conjunction with the
examinable documents list.

© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Audit and Assurance (AA) Syllabus and study guide

This syllabus and study guide is designed to help with planning study and to provide
detailed information on what could be assessed in any examination session.

Aim

To develop knowledge and

understanding of the process of carrying Syllabus
out the assurance engagement and its
application in the context of the Strategic Business Advanced Audit
professional regulatory framework. Reporting (SBR) and Assurance
(AAA)

Relational diagram linking Audit and

Assurance (AA) with other ACCA Corporate and Financial Audit and
Business Law Reporting (FR) Assurance
exams (LW) (AA)

This diagram shows direct and indirect

links between this exam and other
exams preceding or following it. Some
exams are directly underpinned by other
exams such as Advanced Audit and Assurance by Audit and Assurance. These links
are shown as solid line arrows. Other exams only have indirect relationships with
each other such as links existing between the accounting and auditing exams. The
links between these are shown as dotted line arrows. This diagram indicates where
you are expected to have underpinning knowledge and where it would be useful to
review previous learning before undertaking study.

© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Main capabilities
On successful completion of this exam, candidates should be able to:

A Explain the concept of audit and assurance and the functions of audit, corporate
governance, including ethics and professional conduct.

B Demonstrate how the auditor obtains and accepts audit engagements, obtains
an understanding of the entity and its environment, assesses the risk of material
misstatement (whether arising from fraud or other irregularities) and plans an
audit of financial statements

C Describe and evaluate internal controls, techniques and audit tests, including IT
systems to identify and communicate control risks and their potential
consequences, making appropriate recommendations. Describe the scope , role
and function of internal audit.

D Identify and describe the work and evidence obtained by the auditor and others
required to meet the objectives of audit engagements and the application of the
International Standards on Auditing (ISAs)

E Explain how consideration of subsequent events and the going concern principle
can inform the conclusions from audit work and are reflected in different types of
auditor’s report, written representations and the final review and report.

This diagram illustrates the flows and links between the main capabilities (sections)
of the syllabus and should be used as an aid to planning teaching and learning in a
structured way.

© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Rationale

The Audit and Assurance syllabus is

essentially divided into five areas. The
syllabus starts with the nature, purpose
and scope of assurance engagements,
including the statutory audit, its
regulatory environment, and introduces
governance and professional ethics
relating to audit and assurance. It then
leads into planning the audit and
performing risk assessment. The
syllabus then covers a range of areas
relating to an audit of financial
statements including the scope of
internal control and the role and function
of internal audit. These include,
evaluating internal controls, audit
evidence, and a review of the financial
statements. In addition to final review
procedures, the final section
concentrates on reporting, including the
form and content of the independent
auditor’s report.

© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Detailed syllabus 6. The scope of the internal audit

A Audit framework and regulation
1. The concept of audit and other
assurance engagements
2. External audits
3. Corporate governance
4. Professional ethics and ACCA’s
Code of Ethics and Conduct
B Planning and risk assessment
1. Obtaining, accepting and continuing
audit engagements
function, outsourcing and internal
audit assignments
D Audit evidence
1. Financial statement assertions and
audit evidence
2. Audit procedures
3. Audit sampling and other means of
testing
4. The audit of specific items
5. Computer-assisted audit techniques
6. The work of others

2. Objective and general principles 7 Not-for-profit organisations

3. Assessing audit risks

E Review and reporting
4. Understanding the entity and its
environment
1. Subsequent events
5. Fraud, laws and regulations
2. Going concern
6. Audit planning and documentation
3. Written representations
C Internal control
4. Audit finalisation and the final review
1. Internal control systems
5. The Independent Auditor’s Report
2. The use and evaluation of internal
control systems by auditors

3. Tests of control

4. Communication on internal control

5. Internal audit and governance and

the differences between external
audit and internal audit

© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Approach to examining the syllabus

The syllabus is assessed by a three-hour examination available in both computer-based and
paper-based formats. *

All questions are compulsory. The exam will contain both computational and discursive elements.

Some questions will adopt a scenario/case study approach.

Computer-based exams

* Prior to the start of the exam candidates are given an extra 10 minutes to read the exam
instructions.

Section A of the exam comprises three 10 mark case-based questions. Each case has five
objective test questions worth 2 marks each.

Section B of the exam comprises one 30 mark question and two 20 mark questions. Section B of
the exam will predominantly examine one or more aspects of audit and assurance from planning
and risk assessment, internal control or audit evidence, although topics from other syllabus areas
may also be included.

Additional content may be included in the exam. This will be dependent on which exam session the
candidate sits their exam. For more information see below.

Exams from September 2018 – March 2019

For these exams candidates will receive an extra 10 marks of objective test seeded content (either
five single OT questions OR five OT questions based around a single scenario). These questions
are included to ensure the fairness and reliability of the exams. These questions do not directly
contribute towards the candidate’s score. Candidates will not be able to differentiate between the
questions that contribute to the result and those that do not.
*Due to this additional content, an extra 20 minutes is provided to candidates. The total exam time
is therefore 3 hours and 20 minutes (not including reading time).

Exams from June 2019 onwards

As part of our ongoing exam development, from June 2019 candidates will no longer receive
seeded content. Processes and systems are in place to ensure every question a candidate
receives is fair and reliable. Due to the removal of this content, the exam duration will change from
3 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours (this does not include reading time).

Paper-based exams

*For paper-based exams an extra 15 minutes is provided to candidates to reflect the manual effort
required as compared to the time needed for the computer-based exams. The total exam time is
therefore three hours and 15 minutes. Prior to the start of the exam candidates are given an extra
10 minutes to read the exam instructions.

© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Section A of the paper-based exam comprises three questions containing five multiple choice
questions.

Section B of the exam comprises one 30 mark question and two 20 mark questions. Section B of
the exam will predominantly examine one or more aspects of audit and assurance from planning
and risk assessment, internal control or audit evidence, although topics from other syllabus areas
may also be included

© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.


Study Guide
A. Audit framework and
regulation
1. The concept of audit and other
assurance engagements
a) Identify and describe the objective and
general principles of external audit
engagements.[2]
b) Explain the nature and development of
audit and other assurance
engagements.[1]
c) Discuss the concepts of accountability,
stewardship and agency.[2]
d) Define and provide the objectives of an
assurance engagement.[1]
e) Explain the five elements of an
assurance engagement.[2]
f) Describe the types of assurance
engagement[2]
g) Explain the level of assurance provided
by an external audit and other review
engagements and the concept of true
and fair presentation.[1]
2. External audits
a) Describe the regulatory environment
within which external audits take place.[1]
b) Discuss the reasons and mechanisms for
the regulation of auditors.[1]
c) Explain the statutory regulations
governing the appointment, rights,
removal and resignation of auditors.[1]
d) Explain the regulations governing the
rights and duties of auditors[1]
e) Describe the limitations of external
audits.[1]
Audit and Assurance (AA)
f) Explain the development and status of
International Standards on Auditing
(ISAs).[1]
g) Explain the relationship between
International Standards on Auditing and
national standards.[1]
3. Corporate governance
a) Discuss the objectives, relevance and
importance of corporate governance.[2]
b) Discuss the provisions of international
codes of corporate governance (such as
OECD) that are most relevant to
auditors.[2]
c) Describe good corporate governance
requirements relating to directors’
responsibilities (e.g. for risk management
and internal control) and the reporting
responsibilities of auditors.[2]
d) Evaluate corporate governance
deficiencies and provide
recommendations to allow compliance
with international codes of corporate
governance.[2]
e) Analyse the structure and roles of audit
committees and discuss their benefits
and limitations.[2]
f) Explain the importance of internal control
and risk management.[1]
g) Discuss the need for auditors to
communicate with those charged
with governance.[2]
4. Professional ethics and ACCA’s Code
of Ethics and Conduct
a) Define and apply the fundamental
principles of professional ethics of
integrity, objectivity, professional
competence and due care, confidentiality
and professional behaviour.[2]
b) Define and apply the conceptual
framework, including the threats to the
fundamental principles of self-interest,
© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

self-review, advocacy, familiarity, and
intimidation.[2]
c) Discuss the safeguards to offset the
threats to the fundamental principles.[2]
d) Describe the auditor’s responsibility with
regard to auditor independence, conflicts
of interest and confidentiality.[1]
B. Planning and risk assessment
1. Obtaining, accepting and continuing
audit engagements
a) Discuss the requirements of professional
ethics and ISAs in relation to the
acceptance / continuance of audit
engagements.[2]
[2]
b) Explain the preconditions for an audit
c) Explain the process by which an auditor
obtains an audit engagement.[2]
d) Discuss the importance of engagement
letters and their contents.[1]
e) Explain the quality control procedures
that should be in place over engagement
performance, monitoring quality and
compliance with ethical requirements [2]
2. Objective and general principles
a) Identify the overall objectives of the
auditor and the need to conduct an audit
in accordance with ISAs.[2]
b) Explain the need to plan and perform
audits with an attitude of professional
scepticism, and to exercise professional
judgment.[2]
3. Assessing audit risks
a) Explain the components of audit risk.[1]
b) Describe the audit risks in the financial
statements and explain the auditor’s
response to each risk.[2]
c) Define and explain the concepts of
materiality and performance materiality.[2]
Audit and Assurance (AA)
d) Explain and calculate materiality levels
from financial information.[2]
4. Understanding the entity and its
environment
a) Explain how auditors obtain an initial
understanding of the entity and its
environment.[2]
b) Describe and explain the nature, and
purpose of, analytical procedures in
planning.[2]
Compute and interpret key ratios used in
analytical procedures.[2]
5. Fraud, laws and regulations
a) Discuss the effect of fraud and
misstatements on the audit strategy and
extent of audit work.[2]
b) Discuss the responsibilities of internal
and external auditors for the prevention
and detection of fraud and error.[2]
c) Explain the auditor’s responsibility to
consider laws and regulations.[2)
6. Audit planning and documentation
a) Identify and explain the need for and
importance of planning an audit.[2]
b) Identify and describe the contents of the
overall audit strategy and audit plan.[2]
c) Explain and describe the relationship
between the overall audit strategy and
the audit plan.[2]
d) Explain the difference between an interim
and final audit.[1]
e) Describe the purpose of an interim audit,
and the procedures likely to be adopted
at this stage in the audit.[2]
f) Describe the impact of the work
performed during the interim audit on the
final audit.[2]
© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

g) Explain the need for, and the importance
of, audit documentation.[1]
h) Describe the form and contents of
working papers and supporting
documentation.[2]
i) Explain the procedures to ensure safe
custody and retention of working
papers.[1]
C. Internal control
1. Internal control systems
a) Explain why an auditor needs to obtain
an understanding of internal control
relevant to the audit.[1]
b) Describe and explain the five
components of internal control[2]
i) the control environment
ii) the entity’s risk assessment process,
iii)the information system, including the
related business processes, relevant
to financial reporting and
communication
iv) control activities relevant to the audit
v) monitoring of controls
2. The use and evaluation of internal
control systems by auditors
a) Explain how auditors record internal
control systems including the use of
narrative notes, flowcharts, internal
control questionnaires and internal
control evaluation questionnaires.[2]
b) Evaluate internal control components,
including deficiencies and significant
deficiencies in internal control.[2]
c) Discuss the limitations of internal control
components.[2]
3. Tests of control
a) Describe computer systems controls
including general IT controls and
application controls.[2]
Audit and Assurance (AA)
b) Describe control objectives, control
procedures, activities and tests of control
in relation to:
i) The sales system;
ii) The purchases system
iii) The payroll system
iv) The inventory system
v) The cash system
vi) Non-current assets
4. Communication on internal control
a) Discuss the requirements and methods
of how reporting significant deficiencies
in internal control are provided to
management and those charged with
governance.[2]
b) Explain, in a format suitable for inclusion
in a report to management significant
deficiencies within an internal control
system and provide recommendations
for overcoming these deficiencies to
management
5. Internal audit and governance, and the
differences between external audit and
internal audit
a) Discuss the factors to be taken into
account when assessing the need for
internal audit.[2]
b) Discuss the elements of best practice in
the structure and operations of internal
audit with reference to appropriate
international codes of corporate
governance.[2]
c) Compare and contrast the role of
external and internal audit.[2]
6. The scope of the internal audit
function, outsourcing and internal
audit assignments
a) Discuss the scope of internal audit and
the limitations of the internal audit
function.[2]
© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

b) Explain outsourcing and the associated
advantages and disadvantages of
outsourcing the internal audit function.[1]
c) Discuss the nature and purpose of
internal audit assignments including
value for money, IT, financial, regulatory
compliance, fraud investigations and
customer experience.[2]
d) Discuss the nature and purpose of
operational internal audit assignments [2]
e) Describe the format and content of
internal audit review reports and make
appropriate recommendations to
management and those charged with
governance.[2]
D. Audit evidence
1. Financial statement assertions and
audit evidence
a) Explain the assertions contained in the
financial statements about:[2]
(i) Classes of transactions and events
and related disclosures;
(ii) Account balances and related
disclosures at the period end;
b) Describe audit procedures to obtain audit
evidence , including inspection,
observation, external confirmation,
recalculation, re-performance, analytical
procedures and enquiry.[2]
c) Discuss the quality and quantity of audit
evidence.[2]
d) Discuss the relevance and reliability
of audit evidence.[2]
2. Audit procedures
a) Discuss substantive procedures for
obtaining audit evidence.[2]
b) Discuss and provide examples of how
analytical procedures are used as
substantive procedures.[2]
Audit and Assurance (AA)
c) Discuss the problems associated with
the audit and review of accounting
estimates.[2]
d) Describe why smaller entities may have
different control environments and
describe the types of evidence likely to
be available in smaller entities.[1]
e) Discuss the difference between tests of
control and substantive procedures.[2]
3. Audit sampling and other means
of testing
a) Define audit sampling and explain the
need for sampling.[1]
b) Identify and discuss the differences
between statistical and non-statistical
sampling.[2]
c) Discuss and provide relevant examples
of the application of the basic principles
of statistical sampling and other selective
testing procedures.[2]
d) Discuss the results of statistical
sampling, including consideration of
whether additional testing is required.[2]
4. The audit of specific items
For each of the account balances stated in
this sub-capability:
Explain the audit objectives and the audit
procedures to obtain sufficient, appropriate
evidence in relation to:
a) Receivables: [2]
i) direct confirmation of accounts
receivable
ii) other evidence in relation to
receivables and prepayments,
iii) other evidence in relation to current
assets; and
iv) completeness and occurrence of
revenue.
b) Inventory: [2]
i) inventory counting procedures in
relation to year-end and continuous
inventory systems
ii) cut-off testing
© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.
 Audit and Assurance (AA)

iii) auditor’s attendance at b) Discuss and provide relevant examples

inventory counting of the use of test data and audit
v) direct confirmation of inventory held software.[2]
by third parties
vi) valuation, and 6. The work of others
vii) other evidence in relation to
inventory. a) Discuss why auditors rely on the work of
others.[2]

c) Payables and accruals: [2] b) Discuss the extent to which external

i) supplier statement reconciliations
and direct confirmation of accounts
payable,
ii) obtain evidence in relation to
payables and accruals,
iii) other evidence in relation to current
liabilities; and
iv) purchases and other expenses,
including payroll.
d) Bank and cash: [2]
i) bank confirmation reports used in
obtaining evidence in relation to
bank and cash
ii) other evidence in relation to bank
and
iii) other evidence in relation to cash.
e) Tangible and intangible non-current
assets [2]
i) evidence in relation to non-current
assets,
ii) depreciation, and
iii) profit/loss on disposal
f) Non-current liabilities, provisions and
contingencies[2]
i) evidence in relation to non-current
liabilities, and
ii) provisions and contingencies
g) Share capital, reserves and directors’
emoluments: [2]
i) evidence in relation to share capital,
reserves and directors’ emoluments
5. Computer-assisted audit
techniques
a) Explain the use of computer-assisted
audit techniques in the context of an
audit.[1]
auditors are able to rely on the work of
experts, including the work of internal
audit.[2]
c) Explain the audit considerations relating
to entities using service organisations.[2]
d) Explain the extent to which reference to
the work of others can be made in the
independent auditor’s report.[1]
7. Not-for-profit organisations
a) Apply audit techniques to not-for-profit
organisations.[2]
E. Review and reporting
1. Subsequent events
a) Explain the purpose of a subsequent
events review.[1]
b) Explain the responsibilities of auditors
regarding subsequent events.[1]
c) Discuss the procedures to be undertaken
in performing a subsequent events
review.[2]
2. Going concern
a) Define and discuss the significance of the
concept of going concern.[2]
b) Explain the importance of and the need
for going concern reviews.[2]
c) Explain the respective responsibilities of
auditors and management regarding
going concern.[1]
d) Identify and explain potential indicators
that an entity is not a going concern. 2]

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 Audit and Assurance (AA)

e) Discuss the procedures to be applied in

performing going concern reviews.[2]
f) Discuss the disclosure requirements in
relation to going concern issues.[2]

g) Discuss the reporting implications of the

findings of going concern reviews.[2]

3. Written representations

a) Explain the purpose of and procedure for

obtaining written representations.[2]

b) Discuss the quality and reliability of

written representations as audit
evidence.[2]

c) Discuss the circumstances where written

representations are necessary and the
matters on which representations are
commonly obtained.[2]

4. Audit finalisation and the final review

a) Discuss the importance of the overall

review in ensuring that sufficient,
appropriate evidence has been
obtained.[2]

b) Describe procedures an auditor should

perform in conducting their overall review
of financial statements.[2]

c) Explain the significance of uncorrected

misstatements.[1]

d) Evaluate the effect of dealing with

uncorrected misstatements.[2]

5. The Independent Auditor’s Report

a) Identify and describe the basic elements

contained in the independent auditor’s
report.[1]
b) Explain unmodified audit opinions in the
auditor’s report.[2]

c) Explain modified audit opinions in the

auditor’s report.[2]

d) Describe the format and content of key

audit matters, emphasis of matter and
other matter paragraphs.[2]

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 Audit and Assurance (AA)

Summary of changes to Audit and Assurance (AA)

ACCA periodically reviews its qualification syllabuses so that they fully meet the needs of
stakeholders such as employers, students, regulatory and advisory bodies and learning providers.

The main areas which have been added to the syllabus are summarised in the table below.

Table 1 – Amendments to AA

Section and subject area Syllabus content

C5 and Learning outcomes which were C Internal control

C6 previously under A5 and A6 have
been moved to a new position as 5. Internal audit and governance, and
it is considered more appropriate the differences between external
to include the learning outcomes audit and internal audit
around internal audit in the
d) Discuss the factors to be taken into
section on internal control
account when assessing the need for
internal audit.[2]

e) Discuss the elements of best practice

in the structure and operations of
internal audit with reference to
appropriate international codes of
corporate governance.[2]

f) Compare and contrast the role of

external and internal audit.[2]

6. The scope of the internal audit

function, outsourcing and internal
audit assignments

h) Discuss the scope of internal audit

and the limitations of the internal
audit function.[2]

i) Explain outsourcing and the

associated advantages and
disadvantages of outsourcing the
internal audit function.[1]

E5d) Learning outcome reworded to Describe the format and content of key
specifically reference Key Audit audit matters, emphasis of matter and
Matters other matter paragraphs [2]

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